Gary Johnson thrilled as Torquay United thrash Westcountry rivals Truro City to stay top of the table

Goal celebrations for Asa Hall of Torquay United, during the Vanarama National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor Torquay, Devon on Wednesday 26th December - PHOTO: Sean Hernon/PPAUK

Gary Johnson said that Truro City's opening goal was just what his Torquay United side needed to move them into top gear, after the Gulls had beaten the White Tigers 4-2 at Plainmoor.

Title rivals Woking had briefly taken over at the top with a lunchtime win over Hampton & Richmond, but once Johnson's Gulls had cancelled out Tyler Harvey's acrobatic early volley, the White Tigers were no match for them.

Kalvin Kalala hit the bar seconds before Connor Lemonheigh-Evans floated a brilliant diagonal shot over Harvey Rivers (26mins) at the start of three goals in seven minutes.

French winger Kalala, who had scored twice in Torquay's 3-0 win at Hampton at the weekend, beat Rivers with a searing 20-yard drive in the 31st minute.

Then captain Asa Hall drew the 3,863 crowd to its feet again with a spectacular 30-yard left-foot shot which again beat Rivers overhead.

Truro were lucky to be only 3-1 down at half-time, and when Saikou Janneh cut in from the right and clouted a 15-yard diagonal drive in the 49th minute, his eleventh goal of the season, the contest was over.

Concentrating on catching Truro on the counter, United nearly extended their lead through Jean-Yves Koue Niate, Jamie Reid, Ben Wynter and Kalala.

But Truro never gave up, had several near-misses of their own and finally grabbed another consolation goal through Jared Lewington from River Allen's cross in the 85th minute.

The win stretched United's unbeaten league run under Johnson to 13 games, a spell which has seen them take 33 points from a possible 39.

"We didn't start very well, we were a bit casual and nonchalant and they deserved to take the lead," said Johnson.

"But (assistant) Aaron Downes said them scoring might be the best thing that can happen to us, and he was right.

"It woke our lads up, we scored three fantastic goals before half-time, which put us in a very good position.

"Then we knew if we could get the next goal early in the second half, it would be very difficult for them to come back from that.

"Credit to Truro, they kept going and we knew they would be dangerous after having a break, while we've had two very heavy games pitch-wise.

"But the quality was there with all four goals, and that's why we won the game.

"To get more than 3,800 here is a fantastic figure, and I am pleased that they have seen a lot of goals, especially from us.

"I think they have been entertained, and they entertained us.

"We play Truro again in six days' time, but there's nobody celebrating in the dressing-room because we've got Gloucester coming up first on Saturday."